Visitors to Colonial Williamsburg enjoy taking a journey back in time to an 18th century town. A new catalogue from the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation offers the opportunity to take some of that history home.
Williamsburg®, a Catalogue of Handmade Lighting Reproductions, contains a selection of authentic lanterns, post lights, chandeliers, and sconces reproduced under license by Period Lighting Fixtures Inc. of Clarksburg.
“Things that are homemade today are becoming an anomaly,†said Edward A. Scofield, president of Period Lighting Fixtures. “Our lighting fixtures have the romance of original craftsmanship.â€
Using the tools and techniques of 18th century craftsmen, the artisans of Period Lighting Fixtures worked with sheet copper, tin and hand-turned wood to create 35 interior and exterior fixtures like those once seen in Colonial Williamsburg.
Period Light Fixtures has reproduction licenses with three other major history museums: Historic Deerfield, Old Sturbridge Village and the Newport Preservation Society.
The Williamsburg Reserve Collection is only available from Period Lighting Fixtures, said Scofield. This Williamsburg trademark is given to products under license with Williamsburg that are unique and of the highest quality.
According to Colonial Williamsburg Foundation officials, “We are proud to have these museum quality lighting designs bear the Williamsburg hallmark of authenticity and excellence.â€
Three years passed between the signing of the contract and the catalogue hitting the press. It was a complex process but the value of the pieces comes from their detailing, said Scofield.
Period Lighting Fixtures selected about half the lighting designs in the Williamsburg historic area for the catalogue, he said. “We went on a shopping trip with our customers in mind...practicality was one of the features we looked for.â€
From small fixtures for porches to larger ones used to illuminate sidewalks and driveways, a notion drove the selection of which pieces to reproduce: lighting has many different functions and fixtures are both a style and a practical product, said Scofield.
Then, “we went down there and spent a number of days on step ladders with cameras shooting pictures from different angles.†After taking exact measurements of each piece, artisans returned to Clarksburg to build prototypes.
These prototypes were submitted, one or two at a time, to a Colonial Williamsburg design committee for review. Though the process from design to approval was lengthy, 95 percent of the designs were approved by the committee without changes. “It’s a credit to our craftsman,†noted Scofield.
“These authentic Williamsburg designs, which closely follow the originals, fill an important niche in the home furnishings market. Williamsburg is the leader in these designs,†said Scofield.
He added that the Williamsburg Reserve Collection represents the first time a collection of this kind has been offered. Period Lighting Fixtures has high hopes that now that people have access to these great fixtures, the business will grow to the next level, he said.
Through four different catalogues, the company offers over 250 models of chandeliers, lanterns, sconces and lamps. Among the company’s professional clients are top interior design and architectural firms throughout the U.S. with many from Architectural Digest’s Top 10 List. Period Lighting Fixtures has also supplied handmade lighting for use in films, from The Patriot, starring Mel Gibson, to Steven Spielberg’s Amistad to Cold Mountain, an upcoming Civil War movie.
For more information, including an appointment to visit and see products on display in the showroom, call Period Lighting Fixtures Inc. at 664-7141 or (800) 828-6990 or visit www.periodlighting.com.
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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